Siberian birds at Triveni Sangam

In Hindu tradition, Triveni Sangam is the confluence of three rivers. Sangam is the Sanskrit word for confluence. The point of confluence is a sacred place for Hindus. A bath here is said to flush away all of one’s sins and free one from the cycle of rebirth. The Triveni Sangam in Prayag (Allahabad) is the confluence of two physical rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the subterranean mystic Saraswati River.

The rivers maintain their identity and are visibly different as they merge. While the Yamuna is deep, calm, and greenish in colour, the Ganga is shallow, forceful, and clear. The Saraswati remains hidden, but the faithful believe that she makes her presence felt underwater. At the confluence of these two great Indian rivers, where the invisible Saraswati conjoins them, Hindu pilgrims take boats to bathe from platforms erected at the confluence. This, together with the migratory birds give a picturesque look to the river during the Kumbha Mela, in the Hindu month of Magh (January-February). It is believed that all the gods come in human form to take a dip at the Sangam and expiate their sins.

The arrival of annual visitors — the Siberian gulls — at the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad heralds the onset of winters. With the onset of winters, these Siberian birds spread their wings to take a flight of thousands of kilometres all the way from Siberia via Afghanistan, Mongolia and Tibet crossing high Himalayan mountains.

These Siberian birds present a mesmerising view at the Sangam throughout the winter season as if waiting to take a holy dip along with the lakhs of pilgrims who arrive here especially during the month of January for the month-long Magh Mela. Bobbing up and down along with the ripples in the calm waters, these Siberian birds are an added attraction for the pilgrims and tourists thronging here during the winter months.

The Siberian birds diving at the Sangam in Allahabad.

Various species of Siberian birds migrate to wetlands in India during the winter season when their home grounds near the Arctic zone freeze. These migratory birds start arriving here in October and fly back by March.

Siberian gulls diving to catch food at the Sangam in Allahabad

The whiteness of the birds dazzles on the waters of Ganga and Yamuna. These Siberian birds present a mesmerizing view at the Sangam throughout the winter season as if waiting to take a holy dip along with the pilgrims.

These birds map their route of arrival like a magnetic compass needle and would follow the exact flyway on their way back home. Migrating birds navigate using celestial cues from the sun and stars, the earth’s magnetic field, and probably also mental maps.

A surprising behaviour has been noticed in the migration of these birds. The young ones guide thousands of migratory birds to the holy city of Allahabad every year. But when they fly back, the female birds lead the entire flock. Nothing concrete has yet been discovered what guides the young ones to such far off places even when it is their first trip to an unknown place.

The Triveni Sangam has also attained international importance as a breeding ground and an alternate habitat for many migratory birds.

Other than humans, all other creatures have extra-sensory perception. It is simply amazing to see these birds fly thousands of kilometers to arrive at their chosen spot. I read somewhere that they fly high above the Himalayas non-stop till they reach a valley in the sub-continent.
Good read, as usual. Keep them coming…

I read in a BBC article that George Lowe, the New Zealand born climber who supported Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s ascent in 1953, said he had seen the geese flying over the top of Mount Everest – the peak is approximately 29,000ft. That’s really amazing!

Beautiful Pictures.. Seems even the birds plan their itinerary before they migrate. Interesting observation on their navigation skills, obviously all gifted by nature. It would be indeed a remarkable discovery on our account to actually decode this. Nice read… 🙂